Appointing Power

In the colonial period the Crown appointed the governors and councils, and the governors appointed most other officers, The new constitutions made at the time of the Revolution, because of fear of tyranny, usually le ened the appointing power of governors. The Continental Congre appointed few officers. The Constitution of 1787 gives the President power to appoint all officers (subject to confirmation by the Senate), except such inferior officers as Congre may provide shall be appointed by the President alone, by the courts of law, or by the heads of departments, The participation by the Senate has led to much injurious collusion in appointments dictated by considerations of party politics, under the name of “the courtesy of the Senate.’’ Presidents at first made appointments for fitne solely, and made no removals for political causes, But Jefferson first, and afterward, and more largely, Jackson, introduced that policy of partisan appointment and removals which is known as the ‘‘ Spoils System.’? 46